Ireland: Potato harvest in full swing

The main potato harvest started on Keogh’s Farm in north Co. Dublin approximately two weeks ago. Most will know the Keoghs for their hand-cooked crisps. Over 100 people are now employed between the farm and factory in Oldtown, Co. Dublin.

Keoghs plant about 400ac of potatoes themselves; almost all of the company’s crisping potatoes are grown on Keogh’s farm. They also source potatoes from a network of about 25 growers from Co. Wexford.

Machines were moving in all directions when AgriLand visited and Tom Keogh was delighted that progress was being made, as the harvest started a lot later than usual.

“On our own farm the harvest was very late this year. We didn’t harvest the first crisping potatoes until the first week in September. The earliest we’ve ever started was July 1, so there’s six weeks in the difference there between an early year and a late year. “The rule of thumb around this area is pretty much March 17, but we had a wet end to March and planting didn’t start until mid-April. March was very cold; there was snow on the ground.”